From Book News, Inc.
Assuming a familiarity with UNIX, this book walks through a typical FreeBSD operating system installation, explains how to use the shell to issue direct commands and the editor to prepare text, describes some of the free software packages available for porting, and introduces local network configuration and Internet protocols. Previously published by Walnut Creek, the fourth edition covers version 5.0 of FreeBSD.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Book Description
The Complete FreeBSD is an eminently practical guidebook that explains not only how to get a computer up and running with the FreeBSD operating system, but also how to turn it into a highly functional and secure server that can host large numbers of users and disks, support remote access, and provide web service, mail service, and other key parts of the Internet infrastructure. The book provides in-depth information on installation and updates, back-ups, printers, RAID, various Internet services, firewalls, the graphical X Window system, and much more. Author Greg Lehey is a member of the FreeBSD core team and has been developing, documenting, and advocating for FreeBSD for nearly ten years. Whether you're an experienced Unix® user or just interested in learning more about this free operating system and how you can put it to work for you, this do-it-yourself BSD documentation will provide the information you need.
The Complete FreeBSD FROM THE PUBLISHER
BSD is one of the foundations of modern UNIX and UNIX-like systems, and has earned a reputation for unparalleled performance and stability. It is also the source of much Internet technology. FreeBSD, an open source operating system, is by far the most popular version of BSD. The Complete FreeBSD is a classic text published for many years by FreeBSD distributer Walnut Creek. The book is an eminently practical guide that explains not only how to get a computer up and running with the FreeBSD operating system, but how to turn it into a highly functional and secure workstation or server that can host large numbers of users and disks, support remote access, and provide web services, mail service, and other key parts of the internet infrastructure.
This edition is based on the Version 5.0 of FreeBSD, which includes a number of new features, notably improved support for multiprocessor systems. New topics include wireless LAN support, DHCP, proxy servers, the KDE desktop, and how to write CD-ROMs. The book is written for novices as well as moderately knowledgeable readers who have picked up some experience using UNIX. The book covers a wide range of topics central to the system administration of hubs. Among the many topics are installation and updates, backups, printers, RAID, several Internet services, firewalls, and the graphical X Window System. Many readers over the years have praised this book for anticipating their problems and providing signposts pointing toward the solutions.
SYNOPSIS
FreeBSD comes with the industry standard X Window system (X11R6) for the PC,XFree86. You also get a rich set of ready-to-run X applications and environments,including Gnome, KDE, Netscape, Open Look, Tcl/Tk and hundreds more.
The system comes with complete source code. FreeBSD provides a tightly integratedbuild system that lets you recompile the entire operating system and support softwarefrom source with just one command.
FreeBSD also comes with complete development environment with GNU C, C++ andegcs compilers and gdb debugger. It also comes with packages such as Perl, Python,Scheme, Tcl and GNU Emacs. For printing you get Groff, TeX, Ghostscript and AFMfonts. The bash, csh, zsh and tcsh shells give you a wide choice of environments.FreeBSD supports ISO 9660, RockRidge and Joliet format CDs.
Walnut Creek CDROM, the publisher of this book, relies exclusively on FreeBSD topower its Web site and its FTP site, ftp.cdrom.com. The busiest site in the worldaccording to independent auditors, it uses FreeBSD to manage 5,000 users, 4 GB RAM,and over 500 GB of hard drive space. It transfers a terabyte of data downloads everyday. And what makes Yahoo! scream? FreeBSD!
Requirements: Intel platform: Standard ISA, EISA, VL, or PCI bus based PC (386sx toPentium III/Xeon), minimum 8 MB RAM. 100 MB disk space for a binary-only systemand 500 MB for development system. MCA not supported.
Alpha platform: Most Alpha machines with SRM firmware and SCSI disks. 32 MBRAM, and 400 MB hard disk.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
These three guides cover version 5.0 of the most popular flavor of BSD, the "other" open-source, UNIX-like OS. A useful, friendly, and thorough guide for novices to intermediate users, Complete FreeBSD addresses initial installation, from setting up domain name servers to building and debugging custom kernels. Discussion of configuration files that may need changing and instructions on upgrading are particularly clear and helpful; appendixes provide a bibliography and a discussion of the evolution of the OS; highly recommended. Unleashed includes more information on various applications and working with window managers to manipulate FreeBSD's graphical interface ("X"). A command and configuration file reference, hardware compatibility lists, troubleshooting information, and additional resources make up the appendix, while the CD-ROM contains FreeBSD 5.0, additional languages, utilities, and packages. Although more comprehensive coverage-wise, Unleashed is less clear in its directions. Still, useful cautions and tips do help guide newer users. Complete Reference features FreeBSD v.5.0, in addition to tools and utilities on CD-ROM. Notes and tips provide extra information, and its troubleshooting and maintenance sections are helpful for newer users. Each is appropriate for beginning to intermediate users and large libraries. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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